The main functions of the ORS are to:

Provide researchers with access to information about national and provincial funding programs;

Serve as a liaison with all major funding agencies, advising researchers of changes in funding programs, new opportunities, associated guidelines, regulatory requirements, application procedures, as well as new initiatives;

Assist researchers in the preparation of funding proposals;

Review and approve applications submitted to external funding agencies and organizations, ensuring adherence to both internal and external policies and procedures;

Sign-off on all external research applications and contracts. The Vice President (Academic & Provost) is the formal institutional signing authority for all research applications and contracts. The VP’s signature acknowledges that the institution supports the project and agrees to administer the funding;

Provide electronic approval and transmission of web-based applications to the external funding source; and